Truth be told, we tried to immigrate 2019/2020 to the Uk. We spent 8 months apart with my husband in the UK working 2 jobs 7 days a week. During that time we were scammed twice, my daughter's (1 year old) hair started falling out, my son was an unhappy boy and myself, well I just kept pushing hoping we will see my husband soon. Covid happened in the UK and at that time my father inlaw was diagnosed with Cancer, so we decided my husband should come back home. Months passed after he was home and we decided on the move to the beautiful Ireland.
Things happened so quick. We knew we had to move quick in order to meet the dreadful 31 December 2020 deadline to exercise EU Treaty. To our surprise, our furniture and car sold within the second week of placing it on sale.
With the help of amazing people I got the EU Treaty forms. Now I had 2 choices, I can wait and complete the forms when we arrive in Ireland or I can start completing the forms during my 10min break from work duties, the 10 min I could give to my husband and kids or to eat. I chose to complete forms, I did this after I bathed my daughter as well. 2 weeks before we left, I spent 1 hour at our local post office and printed documents as well and get the EU TREATY files in order. I printed out the PPS forms and completed what I could as well. So you see, things might seem like it happened quick for us in Ireland but it came at a cost of spending less time with my family and preparing documents.
The hardest thing for myself when we left was when my son's biological dad looked at my husband and said "look after our boy" and the last Teams call to my fantastic team at my old company and saying goodbye to the powerful people I had the opportunity to work with for 6 years.
3 days after we arrived my husband started looking for a job, morning, afternoon and night. The hardworking determined man that he is, he secured a job within 2 weeks after being here. My husband had his own business for years, so it was hard to adjust for him but he did it.
During that time, I called multiple schools and one schools accepted my baby boy. I then did the application for our PPS numbers as my husband needed it for work and my son for school. I had no feedback after weeks, so my very determined husband called our intro office and arranged for myself and him to go to the office and apply for our PPS number.
1 week after our isolation, we secured a years rental and managed to set up utilities in our names, got a car (we bought a cheap car cash) got NCT and Tax. Now we managed to do all this by working together and being persistent.
My son made friends on his first day. I took it upon myself to take my son off ritalin as my mommy instinct said he does not need it, almost 4 months off even doing remote schooling he is excelling at school and is extremely calm. Walking to school seems so out of the norm, but it is an absolute joy to do this with him.
Moving during a pandemic is tough, absolutely tough. Being in a harsh lockdown for almost a year, is tough for ones mental state. But, we are doing what we can. My husband exercises every day and is taking VITD and it has done wonders for his mental health. We keep the kids busy by going for walks, feeding the Duckies, letting them play outside, doing school work and activities.
The only thing I miss about SA, is my job. I had an exciting but challenging job. Now, my husband has us financially, but not working and most certainly not doing what I love has taken its toll on me emotionally. How do I keep going? I keep busy with my kids and husband, speaking to my friends and family daily in SA and doing Podcast's.
Now to say the move hasn't taken a knock on my marriage will be a lie. Myself and my husband had to have an honest conversation about where we were and came to the conclusion we weren't there for one another anymore and although our love for on another is there, the respect and time was gone. A few weeks in and changing a few things and our behavior and setting time aside for our own personal growth and growth as a couple I am happy to be celebrating our wedding Anniversary in a week
Everytime there is snow, I am outside before my kids. Every morning, I go check if there is post that came through the door, that excites me. The kindness and encouragement of my sons teacher is absolutely fantastic. The very cold air, is so refreshing to me. The late night walks in the dark by myself makes me feel powerful as a woman. The support from SAFAS and the Irish community where I live is absolutely amazing.
We have faced many obstacles but we are doing our best everyday and I will most certainly never look back.
Important links:
Banking: Proofs of Address, Non-resident accounts, Retail banks and Credit Score
